Dear ADI/AMI

Representatives of DINAC met with DVA to discuss the possibility of ADIs/AMIs ‘parking’ their licence to allow them to, for example, explore other lines of employment. The DINAC representatives explained that ADIs/AMIs go through a rigid qualifying process which can cost thousands of pounds and can take years to successfully complete. They stressed that the qualification is hard earned but if registration lapses by more than one year, the re-qualification process has to be initiated again.

The issues raised by DINAC are seen by DVA as valid concerns and DVA agreed to explore their request further. There is currently no provision within the legislation to allow for an extension to the one year registration lapse period. Any change to this requirement would require a legislative change and such a change could impact on the current provision which states that an application must be made within one year of passing the entrance examination.

Before progressing this request further, DVA would value your views on the following proposals.

Proposed Change

For ADIs/AMIs wishing to ‘park’ a current licence (not lapsed), they must:

1)  Sign a declaration that they will not provide any driving instruction while their licence has been ‘parked’.

2)  Give DVA authorisation to publish their name and ADI number on the NIDirect website where it would clearly state that they are inactive and must not provide any driving instruction.

3)  Surrender their licence to DVA.

Applications for ‘parking’ licences would not commence until all these requirements have been met. In addition, all registration fees must be paid during any period where the licence has been ‘parked’.

Where this criteria has been met, a check test will not be initiated during the ‘parking’ period.

However, if an ADI/AMI wanted to reactivate their licence, they would have to undergo a check test prior to being allowed to give paid driving instruction. The current check test rules would apply if the ADI/AMI was found to be unsatisfactory. The check test would be in the form of role play where an ADI/AMI was unable to undertake a check test with a pupil.

Any ADI/AMI found giving paid driving instruction while their licence is ‘parked’ would be in breach of their agreement and as such this would impact on their continued ADI/AMI registration.

Other issues for consideration

Other issues that need to be considered are:

Ø  How long could an ADI/AMI ‘park’ their licence for?

Ø  How many times can an application to ‘park’ a licence be made?

Ø  What are the implications, if any, for exchange arrangements with other countries?

Ø  Would a check test immediately on becoming active be sufficient or would there need to be something in place to check knowledge of current procedures and legislation?

Although the details listed above are by no means exhaustive, DVA need to give consideration to these points and consider the options. Some of these points would require a change in legislation and it may be possible to deal with others as a change in policy. However, the full implications of such changes will only be realised once the way forward has been agreed.

To help with the decision as to whether or not we should proceed with the proposal we would like your views on the following:

1.  Do you agree in principle that we should proceed with this proposal to allow ADIs/AMIs to ‘park’ their licence? Y or N

If yes please proceed to questions 2 and 3

2.  How long do you think ADIs/AMIs should be allowed to ‘park’ their licence for?

3.  Do you consider that in addition to a check test, an ADI/AMI wishing to come back on the Register after ‘parking’ their licence should be required to have their knowledge of current procedures and legislation checked?

Please return your views by 30 September 2014 by email to or by post to Francis Woods, Business Support Unit, DVA HQ, Balmoral Road, Belfast, BT12 6QL